Black Ranchers in Colorado Face Intimidation and Legal Battles Amid Racial Tensions
A Black family’s dream of cultivating a tranquil life on their ranch has turned into an ongoing struggle against alleged racial hostility in Yoder, Colorado. Courtney “CW” and Nicole Mallery, owners of Freedom Acres Ranch, have reported a series of troubling incidents, including a recent drive-by shooting, which they believe is aimed at pushing them off their land.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Courtney Mallery expressed the fear and disruption caused by the shooting, stating, “Shots were fired at our ranch. We are alive, but something inside us has been shaken in a way that cannot be put back easily.” He blamed the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office for not safeguarding their rights and allowing racial hostility to persist.
The Mallerys have been in Yoder since 2020, after moving from Texas following their displacement by Hurricane Harvey. Nicole Mallery recounted the challenges they faced with the food supply system during the hurricane, which inspired their move to start farming. They purchased over 1,000 acres to establish Freedom Acres Ranch.
Community Tensions
Despite initial hopes for a peaceful life, the Mallerys claim they’ve encountered racism from the predominantly white community of Yoder. Incidents include trespassing, racial slurs, and the death of their animals. Their situation was first highlighted in a series by Ark Republic, which detailed years of disputes with neighbors, including Teresa Clark, leading to mutual restraining orders.
In January 2023, the legal battle intensified when the Mallerys were arrested on charges including felony stalking. The charges were later dropped in May, but the couple alleges the local sheriff’s office has been complicit in efforts to intimidate them. The sheriff’s office had responded to numerous calls from both sides over the past two years, citing the Mallerys’ security cameras as the reason for their arrest.
Legal and Social Implications
El Paso Sheriff’s Lt. Chris Gonzales stated that the Mallerys’ cameras pointed at the Clarks’ property violated state laws regarding surveillance. The Mallerys argue that their larger property, compared to the Clarks’, should not have led to such charges, and they see this as part of a broader pattern of racial discrimination.
The Mallerys are seeking support through a GoFundMe page to bolster their security and continue their fight against racial intimidation.
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